Birgunj, June 12 -- Judge Khusi Prasad Tharu, one of those who acquitted former Nepali Congress lawmaker Aftab Alam in the high-profile 2008 Rautahat blast and murder case, was assaulted inside the court premises on Thursday.

Supporters of the Dharmendra Bastola-led Communist Party of Nepal (Majority) smeared black soot on Judge Tharu at the Birgunj-based temporary bench of the Janakpur High Court. Police confirmed that three individuals involved in the incident have been arrested.

Judge Tharu, along with Judge Arjun Maharjan, had delivered the May 28 ruling that overturned the Rautahat District Court's life sentence verdict against Alam and three others.

The High Court cited insufficient evidence in acquitting the former minister, a d...